APES' PYORRHOEA

Southland Times, Issue 18971, 19 June 1923, Page 6

APES' PYORRHOEA

HARD SHIP’S BISCUITS AS CURE. “Hard tack’’ is to be the future lot cf the man-like apes at the London “Zoo.” There was trouble with their teeth — just like the scourge of pyorrhoea, a disease marked by loosening of the teeth — which takes such a heavy toll of cur modern mouths. The cause is exactly the same—not enough hard food. Up to recently the chimpanzees arid the orang utang had been given dishes of Bananas Sliced potatoes. Oranges. Bread. Sliced apples. Now there is nothing in this menu which gives the teeth much exercise, so hard, old-fashioned ship’s biscuits have just been added. Curiously enough, the apes all seem delighted with them. They must have felt the need for something of the kind, as they all go for the "hard tack” at once and leave the bananas till later. Even old "Micky”—veteran of 25 year’s life at the Zco—mumbles away at them with gusto. No one is bold enough to take a census of his grinders—if he has any left —but he gets along with the new food in great style. Togo—a fine young chimpanzee —hammers the biscuits on the floor cf his cage before eating them. Hard food means good teeth. Good teeth mean good digestion. Good digestion means longer life. Longer life means less expense for renewals of specimens, so the ship’s biscuits should prove a very sound investment. And it is a splendid object-lesson for owners of human children.